Locking throttle-handle for pneumatic tools.



W. J. HERRON.

L OcKlNG THROTTLE HANDLE FOR PNEUMATIC TOOLS.

` APPUCTION FILED .|AN.7.I916 v 1,293,735. Patented Nov, 7, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET ll 2f Z ZZ y1? ijf Witnesses W. 1. HERRON. LOCKING THRomE HANDLE FoR PNEUMATIC TooLs. v APPLICATION FILED-IAN. I7, i916.

1,293,735. Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I 'Attorneys WILLIAM JAMES HERRON, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

LOCKING THROTTLE-I-IANDLE FOB.- PNEUMATIC TOOLS.

weaves.

Specifica-tion of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 17, 1916. Serial No. 72,541.

. To all whom t may concern Y Be it known that l, WILLIAM J. HnRRoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Locking Throttle-Handle for Pneumatic Tools, of which the following is a specification. l

The present invention appertains to the throttle handles of pneumatic tools, such as are used in structural work, and the like,

and it is the object of the invention to provide a throttle handle which when released will serve to automatically close and lock the valve, whereby to shut off the air or motive fluid, and to prevent accidentally opened` when the handle is grasped for lifting or manipulating the tool unless the handle is manipulated in a predetermined manner for opening the valve.

It is not infrequently the case, with the use of ordinary throttle handles, that the tool in being accidentally dropped will continue to operate, due to the failure of the valve to close, which is objectionable since the tool in continuing to. operate is liable to produce injuries or accidents. Again, with an ordinary throttle handle, it is necessary to carefully lift the tool by the handle, since if the tool is carelessly or negligently handled by the handle, the weight of the tool is apt to cause the valve to be unseated prematurely, thereby starting the tool before it should, and rendering it possible for the tool to produce mishaps, which are avoided by the present invention, since it is not possible with the present handle to unseat the valve prematurely simply by raising or otherwise manipulating the tool bygrasping the handle,y it being necessary to manipulate the handle in a predetermined manner for unseating the valve, but this can be done in a convenient and unobjectionable manner.

It is also withinthe scope of the invention to provide a locking throttle `handle for pneumatic tools,l which. is comparatively simple, non-encumbering and inexpensive in construction, which is not apt to become clogged up in use, and which will serve its ollice in a thoroughly reliable, satisfactory and efficient manner. v

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter dethe valve being scribed and claimed, it being understood that Patented Nov. *7, 1916.

changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

rIhe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one form ofthrottle handle. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the tubular casing or shell. Fig. 3 is'an elevation of the valve operating sleeve. Fig. 4 is an elevation of a modified form of valve casing or shell. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of throttle handle employing the casing illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of another-variation. Figs. 7, S and 9 are enlarged cross sections taken on the respective lines 7- -7, 8 8 and 9`-9 of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a fragmental elevation of the valve casing of the third form illustrating the cam opening therein.

In carrying out the invention, reference being hadyto Figs. 1, l2 and 3 wherein the first form of the invention is depicted, there is provided a tubular valve casing or barrel forming the handle for manipulating the tool, one end of the casing 1 being enlarged and interiorly threaded, as at 2, for the attachment of the vdrill or other tool (not shown). The enlarged end 2 provides the shoulder 3. Attached to the other end of the casing 1 is a hose connection or coupling Ll, for the attachment of the air or pressure fluid hose, as usual, the connection 4 having a nipple 5 in the end of the casing 1, and providing a shoulder 6 facing the shoulder 3. The casing 1 thus provides means for connecting the hose and tool, and also acts as a handle whereby `the tool can nipulated.

In order to control the flow of air or motive fluid through the casing 1, said casing is provided between its ends with a valve seat 7 against which a frusto-conical valve 8 is seatable in the direction of the flow of iiuid through the casing, wherebyl the valve 8 will close automatically by the pressure of the fluid if the valve is free to be seated. The valve 8 has an axial stem 9 projecting to opposite vsides of the valve, one .terminal threaded or otherwise engaged' be conveniently Inaof the stem 9 vbeing slidable through a guide through without interference. A coiled wire expansion spring 12 is disposed upon the stem 9 between the valve 8 and guide 1G, and has a tendency to seat the valve 8.

1n order to provide means for unseating the valve, which must be done against the pressure of the motive fluid, a cylindrical plunger 13 is slidable snugly within the casing 1 in front of the valve seat 7, and is provided with a bore lelextending from its forward end to a point adjacent its rear end, therear end of said plunger 13 having diverging apertures 15 extending from the respective end of the bore 1a to permit the motive fluid to flow from the valve seat through the apertures 15 into the bore A, and from there to the tool. The rear end of the plunger' 13 has a central finger or stud 16 projecting therefrom in alinement with the stem 9 and normally spaced from said stem,`but adapted to contact with the forward end of said stem when the plungerl 13 is moved rearwardly, it requiring a short movement of the plunger before the finger 16 engages the valve stem, so that the fur-v ther movement of the plunger will unseat the valve. A coiled Wire expansion spring 17 is confined between the valve 8 and rear end of the plunger 13, being held in place upon the linger 16 and valve stem 9, whereby said spring tends to separate the valve and plunger, the spring 12 normally overcoming the tension of the spring 17 to seat the valve 8.

1ny order to operate the plunger 13 from the exterior, a sleeve 18 is mounted for rotation upon the casing 1 and has its ends abutting the shoulders 3 6 to prevent the endwise movement of the sleeve. The casing' 1 is provided with a longitudinal slot 19 between the plunger 13 and sleeve 18, and the sleeve 18 is provided with a coperating oblique cam slot 20 having its forward end extended longitudinally, as at 21, to provide a shoulder 22. A pin 23 has an inner reduced threaded end 24 threaded into the plunger 13, and said pin 23 works longitudinally within the slot 19 of the casing 1. rlhis pin also projects through the slot 20, and is provided at its outer end with an enlarged thumb or finger piece 25. The thumb piece 25 and sleeve 18 are preferably linurled, to prevent slipping when they are i operated by the hand.

lVhen the sleeve 18 is released the plunger 13 is forced forwardly under the influence of the spring 17, thereby moving the pin 23 forwardly to the forward end of the slot. 19, Jche pin 23 in being moved forwardly within the slot 20 rotating the sleeve 18 to initial position, and the pin 23 entering the longitudinally extending terminal 21 of the slot 2O to rest behind the shoulder 22. Should the handle be grasped to raise the tool with the tool so positioned,

that it has a tendency to rotate in such a direction as to `carry the pin 23 along the slot 20, this movement of the pin 23 is avoided, since it rests against the shoulder 22, and there is therefore no possibility of the plunger 13 being forced rearwardly accidentally to unseat thevvalve. rThe valve is thus not only seated automatically under the influence of the spring, when the sleeve 18 is released, but the device is also locked to prevent the accidental opening of 'the valve, which are important and novel features of a device of the present character. To open or unseat the valve, the hand which grasps the handle is arranged with the thumb or one finger upon the thumb piece 25, whereby said thumb piece can be readily moved rearwardly slightly to remove the pin 23 from the shoulder 22, and the sleeve v18 can then be rotated for forcing the pin 23 rearwardly due to the fact that the pin 23 works within the cam slot 20. `When the sleeve 18 is so rotated, the pin 23 is forced rearwardly, to move the plunger 13 rearwardly, and the finger 16 in abutting against the valve stem 9 will then unseat the valve 8. lt is evident that the plunger 13 can be moved rearwardly slightly to move the pin 23 from the shoulder 22, since the finger is normally spaced from the valve stem 9, which allows the free rearward movement of the plunger 13 without the necessity .of starting the unseating of the valve 8, until after the Sleeve 18 can be rotated for forcing the pin 23 rearwardly by the cam action.

In the modification depicted in Figs. 4f and 5, the parts 1' to 18', inclusive, resemble the similarly numbered parts of the first form, the reference characters in Figs. 4. and 5 being primed, so that a reiteration will not be necessary. In this case, however, the sleeve 18" is mounted for limited longitudinal sliding movement between the shoulders 3' and 6', and the ends of the sleeve have annular fianges or lips 18@ overlapping the enlarged end 2' and connection et to close the spaces between the shoulders and ends of the sleeve. The chief difference resides in the manner of operatively conneoting the plunger 13 and sleeve 18. Thus, the sleeve 18' has an aperture 19', while the casing 1' has a coperating oblique cam slot 20 whose forward end is extended longitudinally, as at 21', to provide the shoulder 22. A pin 23 fitted snugly within the aperture 19' extends through the slot 20" and has its inner end threadedly engaging, as at 24', the plunger 13. The plunger 13 being normally forced forward under the influence of the spring 17', will move the pin 23 into the forward terminal. 21 of the slot 29' behind the shoulder 22', whereby the sleeve 18 cannot be rotated accidentally. In this case, the cam 'other of the cam edges 20b slot is in the casing instead of the sleeve, as in the first form, but the same results are accomplished. "ounseat the valve, it is necessary to slide the sleeve 18. rear# wardly, thus moving the pin 23 away from the shoulder 22, and the sleeve 18 can then be rotated for moving the pin 23 along the cam slot 20', to thus force the plunger 13 rearwardly for oscillating the valve. It is to be noted that when the pin23 is moved rearwardly from the shoulder 22." by the rearward movement of .the sleeve 18, the plunger 13 moves rearwardly without unseating the valve, until the linger 16 contacts with the valve stem 9.

Coming to the variation illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, this variation embodies the same general construction above described, and also has additional features. There is a tubular valve casing 1. provided with an enlarged end 2 for the attachment of the drill or other pneumatic tool, the casing 1 having a shoulder V3, while the hose connection 4f which has the nipple 5 engaged with the other end of the casing 1 has a shoulder'. The parts designated 7 to 18, inclusive, resemble the similarly numbered parts above described, and will be readily understood from the foregoing without a reiteration being necessary. The sleeve .18 is mounted for limited longitudinal movement between the shoulders 3 and 6, the same as in the second form, and has terminal flanges 18b overlapping the casing 1 and connection 4 beyond the shoulders thereof. The sleeve 18" has an aperture 19, while thecasing 1 has a cam opening 20, which may also be denominated a slot if necessary to correspond with the cam slots of the first two forms. This opening 20 is of approximate triangular contour, to provide diverging cam edges 20", the forwardly and longitudinally extending terminal or notch 21 between the adjacent ends of said cam edges 2Ob providing the opposite shoulders 22. A pin 23" threadedly engaged, as at 24, to the plunger 13 projects through the opening 20 and into the aperture 19 whereby the pin 23" moves with the sleeve 18, and the plunger 13" is movable with the pin 23. When the sleeve 18 is released, it is moved forwardly by the spring 17 since the plunger 13 and sleeve 18 move together, and the pin 23 will therefore be forced along one or the into the notch 21". The sleeve 18" cannot rotate accidentally for unseating the valve, since the pin 23 is held between the shoulders 22 and cannot turn in either direction unless the sleeve is moved rearwardly. To unseat the valve, the sleeve 18" is moved rearwardly to move the pin 23 away from the shoulders 22, and the sleeve can then be rotated in either direction to move the pin coupling and valve 27 rotate together;

23 against one or the other of the cam edges 20b thereby forcing the plunger 1 3 rearwardly to unseat ythe valve, it being noted that the plunger has 'a short free rear ward movement before unseating the valve to allow the pin 23 to be easily removed from the shoulders 22.

The provision of the opening 20 is of importance, since it enables thevsleeve 18 to be rotated in opposite directions for re f versing the tool, as will presently appear. The end 2 of the casing 1 is provided with a pair of outlet ports 26 one of which communicates with one side of the tool and the other of which communicates with the other side of the tool, whereby when air is delivered to one port 26, the tool is operated in one direction, and when air is delivered to the other port 26, the tool is operated `in the opposite direction. To properly control the lflow of air to either of the ports 26, a rotary frusto-conical or tapered valve 27 is mounted s ungly within the end 2 of the casing, and is provided withv a passage 28 adapted to be moved into registration with either of the ports 26 when the valve 27 is oscillated. .Thenvalve 27 is connected to the sleeve 18 whereby the sleeve 1.8 can Ybe used for operating the valve 27. Mounted for rotation within the casing 1 between the valve 27 and plunger 13 is a coupling 29 slidably connected, as at 30, with the valve 27 and plunger 13, whereby said plunger,

he coupling 29 has a bore or passage 31 establishing communication between the bore 14 and passage 28. The plunger 13 can thus be reciprocated without disconnecting it from the coupling 29, and at anyposition of the plunger 13, the valve 27 will be rotated with said plunger. Consequently, when Ythe sleeve 18 is moved rearwardly to remove the pin 23 from the shoulders 22, the passage 28 ordinarily being disposed midway between the ports 26, so that the passage 28 and ports 26 are closed, the sleeve 18 can be rotated in either direction for bringing the passage 28 into registration with the desired port 26, to rotate the tool in the corresponding direction. The operator by manipulating the 4sleeve '18 can thus not only unseat the valve 8 in an effective manner, but can also operate the valve 27-for bringing it into position to rotate the tool in either direction.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the drawings, the advantages and attributes of the several forms of the invention will be understood, it being noted that the several forms have common features, as

Y well as speciiicvones.

invention,

of said parts having a Cam slot with its forward end provided with a shoulder, a pin engaged with the other part and extending through said slot to normally move behind said shoulder, a normally seated valve in said Casing, and a plunger slidable within the easing for unseating the Valve, said plunger having a limited movement with respect to the valve before the valve is unseated, and said pin being secured to said plunger.

2. A throttle handle embodying a tubular valve easing, a sleeve rotatable thereon, one of said parts having a cam slot with its forward end provided with a shoulder, a pin engaged with the other part and extending through said slot to normally move behind said shoulder, a valve member within the casing, a plunger slidable within the casing for unseating saidL valve member, said pin being attached to said plunger, and a spring between the plunger and valve member for separating them.

3. A throttle handle embodying a tubular valve easing, a sleeve rotatable thereon, one

Copies of this patent may be obtained` for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of said parts having a cam slot with its iorward end provided with a shoulder, a pin engaged with the other part and extending through said slot to normally move behind said shoulder, said casing having a valve seat, a valve seatable against said seat and WILLIAM JAMES HERRON.

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. COLEBOURN, C. E. NEsBITT.

of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

